Former NFL star Junior Seau dead

It was a sad day in the
sports world Wednesday as 12-time Pro Bowler Junior Seau was found dead in his California home.

During his 20 year career, Seau played for the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins
and New England Patriots.

In 1994, he made it to
the Super Bowl with the Chargers. Now, eight players from that team have died
before reaching the age of 45.

Fans paid tribute to the
43-year-old near his beach home by making a cross in the sand and writing "RIP
55."

That was the number he
wore in his playing days.

Seau was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and a gun nearby. Police are
investigating, but say all signs point toward a suicide.

Wednesday, we spoke to one
of Seau's former teammates who lives in Southwest
Florida.

Naples High grad Fred
McCrary says he is just one of many on the list of those shocked by Seau's
death.

"It hurts deep. It cuts deep. It's just like losing a brother or losing a family member," McCrary
said.

During four years as
Seau's teammate with the San Diego Chargers, McCrary says Seau was a mentor to
him - showing him the value of a strong work ethic as well as other important
life lessons.

"He taught me just how
to enjoy life. And that's what's so mind boggling," McCrary said.

But he says he saw signs
that Seau was dealing with some issues. He added that he doesn't think it was
an accident when Seau drove off a cliff in 2010.

"Terrell Fletcher, who
was our former teammate, always said 'there's something wrong with Junior,
something wrong with Junior.' Because Junior is a pretty emotional guy, but not
to the point where he would shoot himself," McCrary said.

He said that in his
opinion, head injuries from football collisions may have played a role in the
tragedy.

"The NFL needs to stop
sweeping it under the rug. It's so real. Listen to me - it's real. I just pray
to God that the NFL wakes up and opens their eyes because it's a serious matter
in my opinion," McCrary said.

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